Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-01-14
RAILROAD DISCRIMINATION AND FREE

Railroad companies are chartered and
the right Of eminent domain conferred
upon them by and for the benefit of the
State granting the charter. 1t cannot be
that such q charter was ever
granted by any legislative authority with
the understanding, expressed or implied,
that powers were thereby created permit
ting discrimination between citizens of the
same State, or against them, in favor OF
citizens Of other States. Sufficient trans
portation facilities and reasonable freight
charges are absolutely essential for mater
ial development. The unreasonable, un-
Just and ruinous discrimination against
our people. in freight and passenger
charges, by the trunk line roads passing
through he StGte, Is 50 well known by
every inquiring man, that it is
unnecessary to cite proofs or incl
dents. Until it shall be etfec-
tually prohibited by law, that degree of
prosperity TO which this State is fairly en-
titled can he but the indulgence of an idle
hope.
Comparatively speaking, we are but a
stones throw from the Atlantic Seaboard.
We have natural resources in coal, iron,
timber and salt, far surprising any equal
amount of contiguous territory within the
limits of this continent. Our soil responds
generously tn the hand of industry, and.
III latitude secure against seasons eX-
trcmcS, We are blessed with salubrious
and health preserving climate. With
such superior advantages, We had reason
TO believe that railroads passing through
the State, from the Atlantic cities to the
west, would quicken and invite immigra-
ton, advance our agricultural stock
raising, mining, manufacturing and COM
meTcial industries, induce the construction
o! lateral railroads reaching back into the
interior, and secure lis position of the
first Importance in population, wealth and
material prosperity.
No power, nor authority, could, by JUS
tiCe and right, have deprived this State OF
its natural geographical advantages. Yet
by mere corporal" creatures, through a
system of discrimination by trunk line
it has been done Us thoroughly
and completely rs if the State were situ-
ate five hundred miles 10 the westward.
There is not 4 western State but ships its
stock, farm products and manufactured
articles TO the Atlantic cities for from
twenty-five to fifty per cent. less, Tor the
same amount of freight, than is eXactcd
from the West Virginia shipper to the
same destination: while like character
Of discrimination is enforced rs between
citizens and localities of our own State
This unjust and unrclenting practice of
annually from the people of this State
millions OF dollars in excess of the
charged against Western and
Eastern shippers for the same guam
tity AMI character of freight.
all the way through this State
To points beyond. This excess of freight
charges is the measure at advantage that
has been secured Ia other States for their
products, and against the State
that gave these corporations their legal eX-
iStcncc, and which should have been the
reward ot West Virginia energy, thrift and
industry. Truly. a colossal tribute To IN
imposition. The logical
aud necessary result has been that States,
less favored in natural mdcvclopad re-
sources, have 0utstrippcd us in expanding
and the various industrial pur-
suits. Our gratifying progress OF the last
few years, Is but IN indication of the great
possibilities ul the future. when our pro-
luctS whether of the farm, the mine. the
factory or the forest, shall he placed upon
he market, for the same freight charges,
for like service, demanded of the people OF
other States.
Discrimination in freight charges by
chartered railroad companies is public
evil from every standpoint of public policy.
II amounts To an ahdication OF the SOY
rrcign power of the State over its public
and Il delegation of that power
tn railroad companies, through the abuse oI
which they have destroyed the beneficial
results of the natural laws Of trade and
and dictated at will prosperity
or adversely alike to individuals and local
tiles.
It has discouraged and prevented the in
vCStmcnt of capital in the construction OF
lateral railroads into the interior of the
State. so essentially necessary for the de.
vc.Opmcnt of on: resources. by the appl-
cation Of the modern rule of cunning ClI.
pidity in charging "all the traffic will
bear, leaving M margin of profit for the
producer for the payment of lateral road
ircightS To functions with the trunk lines.
1t has in well known instances turned
away from the State capital ready and any
i0uS for manufacturing and mining invest
mrnt
II has encouraged, created and iOStcrcd
the most StupcndOuS mOnopOlicS known
within the history of civilization, before
whose career of Unsuitable and avariciOus
greed, even the IIndson Bay and Last India
are dwarlrd into InSignIliCanCc
monopoirs which defy public opinion;
which use their money with Il shameless
cquallcd alone by their lack Of
patriotism, to corrupt the political morals
II the country and influence the action Of
public officials; which increase their i'll
.OttCn gains 10 fabulous proportions IN the
midst olwant and langniShing labor, while
heir course is strcwn with the wrecks Of
IOnest individual enterprise; which are at
,mcc, Il public curse, Incompatible with
Democratic Rrpublirm Government, and
standing menace To free institutions.
Independently Of constitutional or stat
ItOry provisions, IT is Il violation at the
common law ui the land, Us determined by
he supreme Court ui the United States in
he ease Of AtchiSon. Topeka and Santa Fc
Railroad Company ". Denver and New
orleans Railroad Company, ITO |. =. Re
,OrtS GG1, Ne. II is Il violation of the fun
lamcntaI principles embedded in the
american system and declared in our State
Constitution, that government is inStitu.
ed for the common benefit, protection and
ccurity of the people.
No legislative tribunal can legally de
troy that common benefit, common pro
cctiOn and common security; and that
which cannot, lawfully, b" done 10y posi-
i've and direct act. cannot legally DE- &c
through corporate agency.
The Supreme Court of the United States,
cvcrsirg It's decision in the case of PcIk
:. G.. * y. W. Ry Co., reported in 9th
:. :. Supreme Court Reports, page IGi,
laS recently decided that, while the States
rave the power To regulate freight and
IaSScngrr charges within their respective
they cannot regulate such
hargcS from within to without, or from
without 10 within, the State; but that
congress alone has that authority, under
he provision at the Constitution of the
'nited States, comforting power To ''rcgl-
ate commerce among the several States.
= 4. g.. Ia.